milwaukee to madison

i'm going to experiment here with writing in the third person...

there was no room for hoop rider with the girls to madison on sunday, and since he had found nothing on craigslist he decided it was the hitch-biking way he would have to go. after a pleasant, relaxing morning with his new friend mike, hoop packed the bicycle, his black dragonfly, and began to make his way out of milwaukee on the route he had chosen. this route included a big section of paved bicycle trail leading from southeast milwaukee to the neighboring city of waukesha. at the golf course where this trail starts hoop was invited to sit at some picnic tables with an older cyclist man who was just about to take his lunch. this man, a retired postal worker(not a currier) was a hardcore cyclist who spoke of motorists as 'the enemy' and has great disdain for 'racers'. hoop leaned into this connection and offered what light he could to the conversation. the two finished eating and rode together into a headwind toward waukesha. hoop continued on when the man turned back for milwaukee, where he lives.

the rest of the trip consisted of a series of rides along highway 18, taking hoop rider closer and closer to his destination of a couchsurfing host in madison. people around these parts proved very kind and helpful in comparison to the rest of the country. many people stopped just to see if they could help, thinking the bicycle was broken down, even if they were heading in the other direction and not able to offer a ride. each time this happened hoop's spirits were lifted a little.

as the sun neared the horizon hoop stood waiting for the ride that would hopefully carry him the last 25 miles into madison. the wind pressed his clothes against his body and threatened his balance. he had to hold the bicycle up while doing the hitch-biker's thumb dance, trying to project his friendliest vibrations and maintain a smile.
one man who stopped was going just a couple miles further on 18 and then turning south to edgerton. hoop rider recalled that there was a farm in edgerton that someone he met in chicago had worked at and thought he should visit. here was a chance to lean into this possibility, but there was a degree of uncertainty... hoop was having a hard time deciding and bought some time by rummaging in his notes for the name of the farm and folks who live there. maybe this guy knows the farm even, and that could be a sign that hoop should go for it! but the information eluded hoop and this he took as a sign that he should not go in that direction. with a kind handshake the man continued on his way and hoop remained on the windy roadside.
soon a woman stopped who said she could take hoop rider at least to the edge of madison, where he could then ride the rest of the way. that worked and so after five rides and some cycling the destination was reached!

at the cozy little apartment by the zoo in madison hoop rider was warmly received and after settling in put his superpowers to work in making dinner from the ingredients available. the rice and eggplant curry vegetable stirfry came out well and all were satisfied.